Instrument supporting device



Oct. 11, 1949. R. E. LEE 8 INSTRUMENT SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 25, 1947 a I I L 1 I I6 I? |4-|'? 2119 I5 V I3 24 23 13 25 Patented Oct. 11, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSTRUMENT SUPPORTING DEVICE Robert, E. Lee, Los Angeles, Califl Application August 25, 1947, Serial- No. 770,425

(ill. 224.-5-)

3 (31aims. 1.

This invention relates generally to supportin devices, and more particularly to devices, for supporting large musical instruments. and the like.

While the. invention is suitable as: a support for various instruments; it is: herein shown andv described in connectic-nwith the Sousaphone.

Band instruments, such, as. the Sousaphone. are relatively heavy and are carried over the shoulder of the player, with the. loop of the; instrument resting on the shoulder itselfl. Due to the very considerable weight of the instrument on the, shoulder, the latter often becomes sore and painful. This is particularly true when the player is: marching. Besides the pain. the: player must; endure, and. largely because of it, his playing. is hindered or adversely aiiectecl- It is. therefore an object of the present: invention to provide an instrument supporting device which will overcome these difficulties.

Another object of the invention is. to. provide a device of this character wherein the weight on the shoulder is removed and the weightof the instrument is comfortably carried by; the hips. the handsxbeing left free to operatetlre instrument.

in playing heavy musical instruments, such as the Sousaphone, it ishighly important that the instrument be so carried as to: feel right so that the player's attention will not be occupied with the problem of carrying it and can: devote substantially his entire attention: to: the playing of'the instrument.

Itistherefore another object. of theinvention to: provide a supporting device whereby the instrument may be comfortably carried in such a position that: it will. feel. just right and will naturally settle into its. proper position.

A further object of the invention is. toprovide a device of this. character which isadjustable so as to facilitate carrying out of the immediately preceding object.

A still further object. of the invention is: to provide a device or this: character which is adjustable to. meet variations in body size and body contour.

Another object of the invention is to provide a devicev of this. character having a hip supported belt whereby the weight of the instrument. is comfortably borne by the hips.

Still another object of the invention is to pro-- vide a device of this character wherein the belt has a reeniorced section which prevents its. sagging' or twisting in use and: thereby prevents the horn from sagging. into: contact with the. users shoulden.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device; of this character wherein the stiffener or reenforcing member is a functional part of the belt.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this: character wherein the horn is maintained in its proper position not only when the: player is standing but also when theplayer isseated.

A still further object of the invention. is. to provide a device of this. character that is simple in construction and is. easyto use.

Gther objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following part of'the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative: purposes only,

1 Fig. 1' is a. rear view of a supporting device embodying? the present invention With the supporting belt extended;

Fig. is a. perspective view of the device in use;

Fig; 3: is av plan View of the device without the belt, as seen on. line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 isa section taken on line 4.4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5' of'Fi'g. 1;

Fig; 6 is a section taken on line 6'--B of Fig. 1; and

Fig. is a section taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there; is shown a. belt, indicated generally at H); which comprises a relatively wide, flexible member H, which may be of heavy canvas or other suitable material, having its ends protected by binding tape II which is sewed thereon. On the back side are strips of tape I3 which are sewed to'the flexible member I adjacent the respective upper and lower edges. At one end of the member lil? there: are. a pair of straps M which overlie the. strips [3 throughout a portion of their length, said straps being Suitably attached to the flexible member lt'l, adjacent their inner ends, as by stitchin I 5 or the like. The free ends of the straps l.4= are providedwith suitable buckles iii, and spaced between the secured: and free ends of said straps are metal" loops I! through which the straps extend. The. inner side of each of the loops [1: is received beneath the strips i3, and stitching IE retains said loops against longitudinal displacement. There are also metal loops l9; which are similar to the loops H, secured adjacenttthe-inner'endsof: the'straps l4. As shown, the loops: 1.9- have their inner sides disposed between folded. end portions 20' 0t said straps Mg and are, secured: in. position. by stitching 21 It is to be understood of course, that these parts may be secured by other means than stitching which is shown only by way of example. The opposite end of the flexible member I I is provided with a pair of straps 23 which have their inner ends 24 secured to the flexible member at points spaced longitudinally from the adjacent free end of said member. The straps 23 are disposed over the adjacent portions of the strips !3 and have metal tips 25 for ease in insertion of said ends in the buckles it. There may also be a metal loop 26 adjacent the inner end of each strap 23 and secured in substantially the same manner as the loops [4.

On the inner side of the flexible member H there is a pocket 28 comprising a piece of fabric '29 or the like, which is marginally sewed at 30 to the flexible member I l, although said fabric may be otherwise secured. Within the pocket is stifiening means which is shown as comprising a flat member 3! of suitable material. This member may be of any suitable material, although in the present instance it comprises a strip of 4-ply machine belting which is formed of rubber-impregnated cotton fabric. However, leather may be used as well as other materials. The stifiening member 3i has its corner portions securely fixed to the flexible member H so that it forms a functional part of the belt. As shown, the fastening means comprises post fasteners, indicated generally at 32, which comprises internally threaded hollow members 33 and externally threaded screws 34, it being noted that the fabric of the pocket is also secured by the fasteners 32 which have enlarged heads on the respective members 33 and 34.

The belt is also provided with a bracket indicated-generally at 35, which comprises a hollow tubular body 36, the bore of which extends vertically, there being laterally extendin flanges 31 having longitudinally spaced openings for reception of fasteners 38 which may also be of the post type. Ehe fasteners 38 securely attach the bracket to the belt and stifiening member 3| at a location intermediate the ends of said stiffening member. At one side of the internal bore 39 is a groove 4i], arcuate in cross section, which extends axially with respect to the axis of said bore 39. This groove 49 receives the outer free ends of a plurality of pins 4| secured to a rod-like member 42 adjacent one end thereof, said pins being spaced apart longitudinally of said rod and serve to limit rotation of said rod in the bore 39 by engagement with one or the other of the side walls 43 of said groove.

Means for securing the lower end of said rodlikemember 42 within the bore 39 is provided and comprises a generally cylindrical block 45 slidably disposed within a cylindrical bore 46 and having a pin 4'! disposed in a recess 48 which extends a limited distance along one side of the bore 46, thereby preventing rotation of the block 45 but permitting longitudinal movement thereof. The block 45 is longitudinally bored and threaded at 4%, for reception of the threaded end of a tightening member, indicated generally at 5!, which has a laterall turned handle portion 52, there being an outwardly extending flange 53 adjacent the outer end of the threaded portion 59 of said tightening member 5!. The flange serves as an abutment so that the block 45 may be positively urged into its clamping position whereat the bevelled side portion 54 of said block will wedge the member 42 securely in the bore 39.

it are secured with respect to the straps The rod-like member 42 may be of any suit able construction but is shown here as being tubular, and has an oiiset portion 58 so that it is the general shape of an S and may be termed an S-bar or member.

Adjacent the upper end of the member 42 is mounted a swivel member, indicated generally at 51, which comprises a part in the general shape of an inverted L having a vertical part 58, and a generally horizontal part 59. The lower end 6!! of the part 58 is of reduced diameter and there is a sleeve BI which is press fitted over the large diameter part of said member 58 about the reduced diameter part fill, thereby providing a space in which the wall of the upper end of the tubular member 42 is received. The connection is such that the swivel member 5'! rotate on the member 42. It is to be noted that the end portions 6! and 62 of the member 42 at opposite sides of the 8 part 55, are substantially parallel with each other.

'Means for connecting the swivel member 5! to the 8 member 42 is provided and comprises a screw 64 received in an opening provided therefor in the sleeve 68. The screw extends inwardly through an arcuate slot 65 in the member 42, and is screwed into an opening provided therefor in the reduced diameter portion 63. Thus the parts are secured together against longitudinal separation, while at the same time limited relative rotational movement is provided.

The free end of the part 59 of the swivel member 57 carries a transversely extending sleeve H1 for reception of a rod-like part i! of the instrument-supporting device, indicated generally at 12. The rod l! is flattened throughout the major portion of its length as indicated at 73. The outer end portion 14 of said rod H is full-sized and said rod is secured within the sleeve l!) by means of a knurled head screw it which is threadably received in a lug l6 projecting from the side of the sleeve 70. The inner end of said screw is adapted to engage the flattened surface 73 of the rod H for retaining same securely in its adjusted position. The purpose of the fullsized end 14 is to minimize accidental slipping of the rod H from the sleeve ID When the screw 15 is slightly loosened.

' The end of the rod- H, opposite the end 14, is provided with a clevis l1 comprising an enlarged portion 18 having a horizontal slot therein for reception of the central flattened portion 79 of a yoke member 85. The upper and lower sides'of the clevis have axially aligned openings therein, and the flattened portion of the yoke is also provided with an opening. The parts are secured together by suitable means which, as shown, comprises a post fastener 31 extending through the openings in the clevis and the yoke. Thus the yoke may pivot on the fastener 8 l.

The free end portions 82 of the yoke are laterally turned and are generally hock-shaped so that the looped portion of the musical instrument' to be supported will rest therein. The hook-shaped parts of the yoke are provided with a protective covering 83 which may be of any suitable material such as, for example, rubber tubing;

In use the belt I8 is' secured about the players waist, aslshown in Fig. 2, withthe bracket at the back, the S member 42 extending upwardly ad jacent the back, the swivel member and yoke being disposed in the positions shown in said Fig. 2. It is-to be noted that the yoke extends across the shoulder with the loop 85 of the instrument,

which is indicated generally at 86, is received in the hook-like parts 82 of the yoke. The instrument or horn is provided with a brace 8! having its lower end secured, as at 88, to the looped portion 85. The point of attachment 88 of said brace 81 is the balancing point of the instrument and is disposed at substantially equal distances between the members 82, so that the instrument settles into its proper position and is easily balanced by the player. In order to get the proper supporting feel the horn may be adjusted to the proper position as the result of the pivoting of the yoke in the clevis 11, and also the pivoting of the swivel member 52.

The S member 42 is adjustable in the bracket so as to position the instrument 86 at the proper height so that the looped portion of the instrument 86 is somewhat spaced from the shoulder of the player, thereby relieving the shoulder of all weight. The 8 member may also be rotatably adjusted within the limits of the pin and groove arrangement 4| and respectively, so that the 8 member will not press against the players back. By rotatable movements of the 8 member 42 the device may be adjusted so as to accommodate various types of backs as shown in dotted lines 42a in Fig. 2. For example, should the player have prominent shoulder blades, or shoulder blades that protrude, the member 42 may be rotated so that the upper part of the member 42 will be spaced from said shoulder blades. When the 8 member has been properly adjusted for height and rotary position, the block 45 is tightened by means of the handle 52 of the clamping device so as to retain said 8 member in its adjusted position. Any further adjustments of the horn, for proper feel and the like, may be made by virtue of the yoke 12 and the swivel member 51.

The weight of the instrument is carried by the hips through the medium of the belt 10 which rests on the players hips. Thus the players hands are left free for playing the instrument, and the sensitive part of the shoulder is relieved from all pressure. Further, the stiffening member 3| forms a functional part of the belt and prevents sagging or twisting of said belt which in turn prevents the instrument 86 from sagging and resting on the players shoulder.

It is to be noted that in attaching the belt, the end thereof carrying the buckles l6 overlies the opposite end. The straps 23, when secured by the respective buckles, are then passed through the loops I! and I9 depending on the size of the person Wearing the apparatus, and the length of said straps 23 extending beyond said buckles.

I claim:

1. In an instrument supporting device: a relatively wide body encircling belt adapted to rest on the hips; a bracket secured to said belt and having a generally vertical bore; a groove extending longitudinally along one side of said bore; a generally S-shaped upstanding member having one end received in said bore; a pin in said end of the S-shaped member, said pin being received in the groove and adapted to move longitudinally and laterally of said groove; means for securing the S-shaped member in the bore of the bracket; and an instrument carrying member adapted to extend over the users shoulder in spaced relation thereto.

2. In an instrument supporting device: a relatively wide body encircling belt adapted to rest on the hips; an upstanding S-shaped member; means for securing the lower end of said member to the belt, said means providing vertical and rotatable adjustment of said member; a swivel member adjacent the upper end of said S-shaped member and adapted to rotate thereon, said swivel member having a generally vertical part and a generally horizontal par-t terminating at its free end in a sleeve which extends at substantially right angles thereto; an instrument carrying yoke having hook-shaped ends for reception of a portion of the instrument; a member pivotally connected to said yoke, said member being slidably adjustable in said sleeve; and means for securing said member in said sleeve.

3. In a belt for an instrument supporting device: an elongated relatively heavy flexible member; a r-elativly stiff reenforcing member secured to the flexible member intermediate its ends, said reenforcing member being adapted to extend across the back of the user; means for securing the reenforcing member, adjacent the corners thereof, to the flexible member; a bracket having a central tubular portion and laterally extending flanges secured to the flexible member and the reenforcing member, said bracket having a longitudinally extending groove in its interior wall; a laterally extending cylindrical recess offset with respect to the interior of the tubular part and having a communicating opening, adjacent its inner end, with the interior of the tubular member; a cylindrical lug slidable in said cylindrical recess; means for preventing rotation of said lug; and means for urging said lug into the communicating opening between said cylindrical recess and the interior of the tubular part.

ROBERT E. LEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Knoche Dec. 27, 1927 

